Porous Coordination Polymer Ionic Liquid Composite

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrolytes for electrochemical devices face challenges in maintaining high ionic conductivity across a wide temperature range, particularly due to the limitations of ionic liquids' melting points when filled in porous materials like glass or carbon nanotubes, and there is a need to control the melting point of ionic liquids effectively.

Innovation Solution

A composite of a porous coordination polymer with an ionic liquid is developed, where the polymer has a uniform pore structure and specific metal ions and organic ligands, allowing for controlled retention and increased or decreased melting points of the ionic liquid within its pores, ensuring stable ionic conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If ionic liquid is filled with porous glass, then melting point is lowered, but pore diameter cannot be decreased below mesopores of approximately 75 Å

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemelting point of ionic liquidVSAvoidpore diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses porous coordination polymers with micropore structures (pore diameter 0.3-2.0 nm) to contain ionic liquids. The porous structure provides confinement effects that lower the melting point of ionic liquids while maintaining electrical insulation, resolving the contradiction between achieving small pore sizes and maintaining material insulating properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system combining porous coordination polymers (insulating framework) with ionic liquids (functional component). This composite approach allows the insulating polymer matrix to confine the ionic liquid in micropores, achieving both small pore diameter and low melting point without requiring the ionic liquid to inherently have low melting point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Volume of moving object

If carbon nanotube is used to fill ionic liquid, then pore diameter is decreased to micropores, but electrical conductivity increases making it unusable as electrolyte

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepore diameterVSAvoidelectrical insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous coordination polymers as the confining material, which possess micropore structures with diameters of 0.3-2.0 nm. These porous materials provide the necessary small pore sizes while maintaining electrical insulation, unlike conductive carbon nanotubes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the conductive carbon nanotube material with an insulating porous coordination polymer. The polymer framework serves as a disposable structural scaffold that provides micropore confinement without the harmful electrical conductivity, allowing the ionic liquid to function as the active electrolyte component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If ionic liquid is used as electrolyte, then high ionic conductivity is achieved, but high melting point causes freezing at room temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionic conductivityVSAvoidmelting point

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameters of the ionic liquid by confining it within micropores of the coordination polymer. The confinement effect modifies the phase behavior, lowering the melting point from above room temperature to below room temperature, while maintaining the high ionic conductivity inherent to ionic liquids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention exploits phase transition phenomena by utilizing the confinement-induced melting point depression. The ionic liquid undergoes a phase transition from solid to liquid state at lower temperatures when confined in micropores, enabling it to remain in liquid state at room temperature and maintain ionic conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This composite enables electrochemical devices to operate safely across a wide temperature range by effectively controlling the melting point of the ionic liquid, enhancing their performance and safety.

Implementation Method 1

an ionic liquid retained inside pores of the porous coordination polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

an ionic liquid retained inside pores of the porous coordination polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

an insulating structure composed of a porous coordination polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Data Source

PatentUS10535474B2Porous coordination polymer-ionic liquid composite

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A porous coordination polymer-ionic liquid composite according to the present invention includes an insulating structure composed of a porous coordination polymer, and an ionic liquid retained inside pores of the porous coordination polymer. The porous coordination polymer preferably has a main chain containing a typical metal element.